Iran and China have signed a cooperation agreement on various security issues in an effort to enhance stability throughout the region.

The accord was signed by Iranian Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar and Chinese Minister of Public Security Guo Shengkun in Beijing on Thursday.

After signing the agreement, the visiting Iranian official stressed the importance of boosting security in Iran, China and across the region, adding that he had held “constructive” talks with Chinese officials in that regard.

“This document can be a new basis for cooperation between Iran and China and regional countries in order to safeguard stability and security,” the Iranian minister pointed out.

Under the deal, Tehran and Beijing will work together closely in fighting organized crime, transnational crimes, narcotics, gunrunning, human trafficking and money laundering, he noted.

The two countries’ police will also increase their cooperation with the Interpol to exchange information and experience, he said.

The accord is a turning point in mutual security cooperation which will have good effects for the whole region, the interior minister stated.

He noted that Tehran and Beijing agreed to step up their fight against extremism and terrorism, which threaten both countries and other regional nations.

“China and Iran are strategic partners and have broad and growing relations in various economic, political, cultural and social arenas,” the Iranian minister stated.

The Chinese minister, for his part, hailed the relations between Beijing and Tehran, describing Iran as a friendly country. He added that the very presence of Mohammad-Najjar in China is indicative of the significance of ties between the two countries.

Mohammad-Najjar arrived in Beijing for an official four-day visit at the head of a delegation on Thursday.